The interalveolar septum between the upper first molar and the second premolar of the separated human maxillary bone was three-dimensionally observed by micro CT to evaluate the appropriate mini-screw type implant placement position by considering the relationship between the tooth roots and the maxillary sinus. After taking micro CTs of 5 human maxillary bones, horizontally sectioned images of the interalveolar septum area 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 mm deep from the crest of the alveolar ridge were reconstructed by three-dimensional reconstruction software. The bucco-lingual and mesio-distal lengths and area in each sectioned interalveolar septum were measured using digital image measurement software. Using the results, the interalveolar septum area between the upper first molar and the second premolar approximately 6-8 mm deep from the alveolar crest in the tooth root apical direction was determined to be the safest position for mini-screw implantation. Furthermore, lateral implantation from the palatal side was deduced to be the safest approach.

The purpose of this study was to use cineradiographic images to investigate tongue movement during deglutition in anterior open bite patients with tongue thrust. Each subject had semi-spherical lead markers attached to the tip and dorsal surface of the tongue and was asked to swallow 5 ml of diluted liquid barium. Tongue movement during deglutition was recorded in the mid-sagittal plane with an X-ray VTR system. The deglutition process was divided into 6 stages to analyze the movements of the tip and dorsal surface of the tongue in each stage. In open bite patients, both the tip and dorsum of the tongue were positioned anteriorly and inferiorly at rest and during the buildup of negative intraoral pressure. The dorsum of the tongue tended to move and be positioned anteriorly as the tongue tip protruded and pushed the maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth. The tongue tip traveled a significantly smaller distance from the stage of tongue rest position to that of most retruded tongue tip position and a significantly larger distance from the stage of most retruded tongue tip position to that of tongue tip fixation in open bite patients than in controls.

Surgical orthodontic treatment has been reported to improve oral health-related quality of life (OHRQL). Such treatment comprises three stages: pre-surgical orthodontic treatment; orthognathic surgery; and post-surgical orthodontic treatment. Most studies have focused on change in OHRQL between before and after surgery. However, it is also necessary to evaluate OHRQL at the pre-surgical orthodontic treatment stage, as it may be negatively affected by dental decompensation compared with at pre-treatment. The purpose of this prospective study was to investigate the influence of surgical orthodontic treatment on QOL by assessing change in condition-specific QOL at each stage of treatment in skeletal class III cases. Twenty skeletal class III patients requiring surgical orthodontic treatment were enrolled in the study. Each patient completed the Orthognathic Quality of Life Questionnaire (OQLQ), which was developed for patients with dentofacial deformity. Its items are grouped into 4 domains: "social aspects of dentofacial deformity"; "facial esthetics"; "oral function"; and "awareness of dentofacial esthetics". The questionnaire was completed at the pre-treatment, pre-surgical orthodontic treatment, and post-surgical orthodontic treatment stages. The results revealed a significant worsening in scores between at pre-treatment and pre-surgical orthodontic treatment in the domains of facial esthetics and oral function (p<0.01), and between at pre-surgical orthodontic and post-surgical orthodontic treatment in all domains except awareness of dentofacial esthetics (p<0.05, p<0.01). A significant correlation was observed between a negative change in overjet and worsening OQLQ scores at the pre-surgical orthodontic treatment stage. Significant correlations were also observed between improvement in upper and lower lip difference, soft tissue pogonion protrusion, and ANB angle and improvement in OQLQ scores at the post-surgical orthodontic treatment stage. These results indicate that morphologic change influences OHRQL in patients undergoing surgical orthodontic treatment not only after surgery, but also during pre-surgical orthodontic treatment.

Brodie bite is a comparatively rare type of malocclusion found in primary and mixed dentition. It not only adversely affects chewing and muscle functions, but also impairs normal growth and development of the mandible. This report describes the therapeutic results of a patient with bilateral Brodie bite in early mixed dentition after using a bonded constriction quad-helix appliance. The patient, a boy aged 9 years and 2 months, first visited our hospital after occlusal abnormality in the molar region was detected at a local dental clinic. Case analysis resulted in a diagnosis of bilateral Brodie bite with slight mandibular retrognathism. Treatment objectives were to reduce the arch width of the maxillary dentition and expand the mandibular arch in order to establish and stabilize molar occlusion and to achieve a Class I molar relation and appropriate overbite and overjet. Treatment comprised covering the occlusal surface of the maxillary molars with resin and attaching a bonded constriction quad-helix appliance joined with a 0.040-inch quad-helix wire. A bi-helix appliance was also fixed to the mandibular dentition. Brodie bite visibly improved after 5 months. Cervical headgear was then fitted and the patient observed until eruption of the permanent dentition was complete. Class I molar relation was achieved after 2 years and 6 months, although spacing remained in the maxillary and mandibular dentitions. Treatment of bilateral Brodie bite in mixed dentition by means of a bonded constriction quad-helix appliance attached to the maxillary dentition enabled effective bite opening and reduction in the width of maxillary arch independent of the patient's cooperation, providing good therapeutic outcome in a short time period.

Aggressive periodontitis mostly affects young people, causing rapid destruction of periodontal tissue and loss of supporting alveolar bone. The destruction of periodontal tissue induces pathological tooth movement, resulting in various types of malocclusion such as crowding or spacing in the dentition. This report describes orthodontic treatment for malocclusion due to generalized aggressive periodontitis. The patient was a 31-year-old woman who presented with the chief complaint of displacement in the anterior teeth. An oral examination revealed pathological tooth mobility throughout the entire oral cavity due to severe loss of periodontal support. Many gaps in the displaced maxillary anterior teeth and crowding in the mandibular anterior teeth were also observed. The goal of subsequent treatment was to achieve ideal overjet and overbite by aligning the teeth and closing the spaces via non-extraction orthodontic treatment with stripping. The periodontal disease was managed by a periodontist who provided guidance on oral hygiene and periodontal disease control throughout the course of orthodontic treatment. Appropriate occlusion and a good oral environment were achieved. The condition of the periodontal tissue stabilized during and after orthodontic treatment, and favourable occlusal stability was observed at the 2-year follow-up examination.

The aim of this retrospective study was to determine factors that might cause complications in use of temporary anchorage devices (TADs) for orthodontic anchorage. We investigated 904 TADs in 455 patients.

No abstract

While osteomas often occur in the orofacial area, it is relatively rare for one to occur in the temporomandibular joint area. Here, we report a patient who underwent multidisciplinary treatment including high condylectomy for peripheral osteoma arising in the left mandibular condyle. The patient was a 46-year-old woman with the chief complaint of facial asymmetry. Cephalometric analysis revealed skeletal anterior crossbite due to anterior deviation of the mandible, with chin deviation of 10 mm to the right. A computed tomography scan revealed bone hyperplasia in the mesiodistal and inner areas of the left mandibular condyle, which exhibited outward anterior displacement. Bone scintigraphy showed a circular area of strong radioisotope accumulation with indistinct boundaries, consistent with the lesion in the left mandibular condyle. The above findings led to a diagnosis of skeletal mandibular prognathism with facial asymmetry due to peripheral osteoma originating in the left mandibular condyle. After orthodontic treatment and surgical resection of the tumor and mandibular condyle, preservation and prosthetic treatment were undertaken. A well-balanced facial appearance and good occlusion were achieved.